The cheer team placed 10th at National Cheer Association High School Nationals. They participated in this competition from Jan. 19 to Jan. 21.

“Friday is always the travel day for our team and once we arrive in Dallas we head to the Convention Center for practice,” cheer coach Shannon Lindsey said. “On Saturday, it is the prelim round. Then on Sunday, that is the final competition round.” 

With two performances, there is always a chance for inconsistency. For example, doing extremely well during one performance and not the other, but this was not the case for the team.

“They performed their best routine of the season in prelims and then went and topped that performance in finals,” Lindsey said. “I am beyond proud of the performances they performed this weekend!”

Senior Neely Miller was thrilled with everything the team put into their performance at her, and the other seniors’, last competition. 

“For me, the best part of the competition was seeing all our hard work and dedication to the sport given on that mat,” Miller said. “I think we gave our best performance this weekend and I couldn’t be prouder.” 

The team made a positive improvement in terms of ranking in their division, as they moved up one spot from last year when they took home 11th. 

“I do feel like we should have finished higher this year,” Lindsey said. “But no one can take away the pride the girls felt knowing they did their job on that mat, not once, but twice. This, by far, was the strongest team we have had to perform at Nationals in years.” 

Lindsey also applauded all of the cheerleader’s sportsmanship towards other teams at the competition. 

“It’s always great to win titles and take home trophies, but to watch the girls have amazing sportsmanship all weekend long and hearing them cheer for other teams that were performing and yell with them, that is what makes me even more proud,” Lindsey said. “There were parents from other teams that would come up and compliment their sportsmanship and willingness to help other teams succeed.” 

In addition, other teams in attendance at the competition complimented the cheerleaders. 

“Hearing other coaches and cheer programs support them is what stands out to me,” Lindsey said. “When we would practice in the open hallway to get ready to go to the warmup room, the team would get cheers and encouragement from other teams. Other parents and coaches would come up and tell us how much they enjoyed watching them perform.” 

Miller said she has both happy and sad feelings about the competition season coming to a close.

“This team gave me so much to be thankful for and I wouldn’t want to give that up,” Miller said. ”I will forever call them my family.”